Based on the actual diaries of real-life soldier Joseph Hoover, “Union Bound” tells the story of Hoover’s journey back to the Union with the unlikely help of a freed slave (played by Jones) on the Underground Railroad.

Tank says his unique moniker dates to his childhood when he liked to run into things — like the freezer! His uncle named him “Little Tank Head,” which was shortened to “Tank” as an adult. His given name is Larry.

Tank lives in Arizona with his family. It’s hard as an actor to find work there, but he believes it is more family-friendly than California.

Civil War movie

He said he hopes “Union Bound” can unite pople. “My hope is that it does at least that, it sparks some conversation to get us to come back to the table to talk about it.” The First Amendment allows people to express “all different types of opinion, including hatred of others.”

Sometimes people get the “message of Christ all twisted or had a bad experience as kids or even as adults. Christ told you to love God, love others and love yourself.”

Tank is embarking on a tour following the movie’s release called “Union Bound: The Tour.” It is a live stage show portraying Civil War history and showing the diary on which the movie is based. Tank said he may even make an appearance as Jim Young. More information is at unionboundthetour.com

More information on Tank is at tankjones.com. More information on the movie is at unionboundthemovie.com.